"The Daily Show's" Aasif Mandvi and "Survivor" winner Yul Kwon join the San Francisco Chronicle's Jeff Yang to discuss the stereotyping of Asian American males in life and work--at the Asia Society 5/31/07.

Post your thoughts if any.

I never paid too much how Asians are depicted in the media because growing up I lived in multiple areas where it was rare to come across with other Asian kids. My life reflected what I did not see on the television, which was the lack of Asians in film and what have you. My father was in the military so we moved a lot. When we were stationed in San Francisco and now that I look back, yeah, there were more Asian kids but at the time I never looked at life like that. I can see it more now that I am older but it doesn't phase me.

I agree so much with everything that was said in this interview. Especially what Aasif Mandvi said about not wanting to be part of the film Hidalgo. I think sometimes in order to break down walls, you have to erect a few of your own.

For instance, Lena Horne made it a point never to play a maid. I think this helped in how Blacks were portrayed in film, then you have other times when its probably best to trade in, to break a barrier. Ben Kingsley is an example. He changed his name in order to make an impact. There are some that feel this is a bit extreme, but it paid off. He became the second Asian man to a win best actor Oscar.

List of Asian Academy Award winners and nominees - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I think Asian men may have to step up and make their own films and stories about being in America, as an everyday American.